Which of the following are the main states of matter?

The main states of matter traditionally recognized are solid, liquid, and gas. Each of these states is characterized by distinct properties related to the arrangement and behavior of particles.

In the solid state, particles are tightly packed in a fixed arrangement, which allows solids to maintain a definite shape and volume. In the liquid state, particles are still close together but can move past each other, giving liquids a definite volume but no fixed shape—they take the shape of their container. In the gas state, particles are far apart and move freely, leading to neither a definite shape nor a definite volume—gases expand to fill their containers.

Other states of matter, such as plasma, superfluid, and vapor, are important but are typically considered less fundamental than the classic three states. For example, plasma is a state consisting of ionized gas with charged particles and is found in stars, while superfluid refers to a phase of matter that exhibits unique properties at very low temperatures. Vapor, while technically a gas phase of a substance that can exist as a liquid, is not a primary state of matter on its own.

Thus, the classification of solid, liquid, and gas as the main states of matter is the most widely accepted and serves as a foundational aspect of